Hunter Hayes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hunter Hayes
Hayes performing in August 2019
Background information
Birth name	Hunter Easton Hayes
Born	(1991-09-09) September 9, 1991 (age 33) Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres	Country pop R&B blues pop country cajun pop rock alternative rock
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter record producer multi-instrumentalist
Instruments	Vocals guitar piano accordion
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Atlantic Nashville Warner Nashville LP Entertainment
Associated acts	Lady A Hunter Brothers

Hunter Easton Hayes, born on September 9, 1991, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is also an amazing multi-instrumentalist, meaning he can play many different musical instruments. In fact, he is skilled at more than 30 instruments!

Hunter Hayes released his first album, named Hunter Hayes, in 2011. This album was very popular, reaching number seven on the Billboard 200 chart. It also hit number one on the Top Country Albums chart and sold over 1.1 million copies. His most famous song from that album, "Wanted", sold over 3.5 million copies. This song made Hunter the youngest male artist ever to reach the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Because of his success and his talent in writing songs and playing instruments, Billboard magazine called him a leader in "Country Music's Youth Revolution" in 2014. He has been nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist. He also won the 2012 CMA Award for New Artist of the Year and three BMI Awards.

Hunter Hayes: Early Life and Career Beginnings

Hunter Hayes was born on September 9, 1991, in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. He is an only child. His parents have French Cajun family roots. Hunter grew up in the Catholic faith, singing songs in both English and French.

Hunter's Amazing Start in Music

Hunter started performing music when he was just two years old! By the time he was four, he was appearing on local and national TV shows. These included Maury, Rosie O'Donnell Show, and the Nickelodeon game show Figure It Out. On Figure It Out, he performed the song "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)".

When he was six, actor Robert Duvall gave Hunter his first guitar. At age seven, he was invited to perform for President Bill Clinton at a party at the White House. At 13, he appeared on America's Most Talented Kids, where he sang the classic Hank Williams song, "Hey Good Lookin'".

Hunter's First Albums and Big Move

When Hunter was nine, he released his first independent album called "Through My Eyes" in 2000. He then released several more albums on his own: Make a Wish (2001), Holidays with Hunter (2003), Honoring our French Heritage (2006), and Songs About Nothing (2008).

In 2008, Hunter moved from Breaux Bridge to Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville is a big city known for country music. There, he signed a deal with Universal Music Publishing Group to write songs. In 2010, he helped write the song "Play" for the band Rascal Flatts. In September of that year, he signed with Atlantic Records Nashville. This was a big step towards his first major album.

Hunter on Tour and Movie Music

Hunter Hayes was the opening act for 10 shows on country superstar Taylor Swift's Speak Now World Tour in the summer of 2011. He also went on his own radio tour in April 2011, playing songs from his upcoming debut album. His first headlining tour was called the Most Wanted Tour. It started in October 2011 and ended in December 2011.

Hunter and singer Victoria Justice sang a duet for the movie Footloose (2011). They covered the song "Almost Paradise". From January to February 2012, Hunter also opened for Rascal Flatts on their "Thaw Out" tour.

Hayes signing autographs in Frederick, Maryland in August 2012

Hunter wrote an original song called "Where We Left Off" for the soundtrack of the 2012 war film Act of Valor. In May 2012, Martin Guitars chose Hunter as their new brand ambassador. This means he represents their guitars. In September 2012, he was welcomed into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in New Orleans.

Hunter Hayes: Hit Albums and Records

Hayes performing in 2013

Hayes doing a soundcheck at Progressive Field before performing the US national anthem at Game 6 of the 2016 World Series

Hunter's first single, "Storm Warning", was released to radio in May 2011. His first major album, Hunter Hayes, came out on October 11, 2011. He wrote every song on it, played every instrument, and helped produce it. "Wanted", his second single, was released in March 2012.

In July 2012, "Wanted" earned a Gold Certification, meaning it sold over 500,000 copies. By August 2012, it was certified Platinum, selling over 1 million copies!

"Wanted" became Hunter's first number one song. This made him the youngest solo male artist to top the Hot Country Songs chart, breaking a record from 1973. The album's third single, "Somebody's Heartbreak", also reached number one on the Country Airplay chart.

Starting in September 2012, Hunter opened for Carrie Underwood on her Blown Away Tour for over 90 shows.

Grammy Nominations and More Hits

Hunter was nominated for three Grammys in 2013, including Best New Artist. He was the youngest male country artist to be nominated in all three categories. The album's fourth single, "I Want Crazy", was released in April 2013. It reached number two on the Country Airplay chart. After that came "Everybody's Got Somebody but Me", which featured Jason Mraz.

In 2013, Hunter was one of five country singers to win a CMT Artist of the Year award. This award celebrates country musicians who have had a great year.

Hunter performed "Invisible", the first song from his second album, at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. His second album, Storyline, was released on May 6, 2014. To promote this album and help end child hunger, Hunter broke a Guinness World Record. He played the most concerts in different cities in 24 hours! The album's second single, "Tattoo", was released in June 2014.

In July 2014, Hunter's first album was certified double platinum, meaning it sold over 2 million copies. "Light Me Up" was another single from his debut album, released in 2015.

Hunter Hayes: Recent Music and Projects

In May 2015, Hunter released "21", which was the main song for his EP and third album, The 21 Project. He also appeared on the song "I Can Play Guitar" on Brett Kissel's album Pick Me Up.

In November 2016, Hunter performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live with four holograms of himself!

In March 2017, Hunter performed at the C2C: Country to Country festival in the UK. He played alongside Dan + Shay and Darius Rucker, supporting Reba McEntire. He returned to the festival in 2019 with Carly Pearce and Dustin Lynch, supporting Lady A. Hunter released several songs, including “Yesterday’s Song”, which were planned for an album in February 2018. However, he later decided to cancel that project.

Hunter also appeared as a guest star on the Nickelodeon show Bella and the Bulldogs.

New Albums: Wild Blue and Red Sky

Hunter Hayes performing in Colorado Springs in 2024

In December 2018, Hunter Hayes was a guest star on Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas. He also recorded a duet with Irish singer Catherine McGrath for her album Talk of This Town.

In January 2019, Hunter released his first radio single in three years, called "Heartbreak". This song was the first single for a new album from Warner Music Nashville. Hunter also led the Closer to You Tour in 2019, with Levi Hummon and Tegan Marie as opening acts.

In August 2019, Hunter surprised fans on NBC's Today Show by announcing his album Wild Blue (Part I) would be released on August 16, 2019. This album is the first part of a three-part series of albums.

In April 2020, Hunter competed on the third season of The Masked Singer as "Astronaut". In June 2020, the Saskatchewan-based Hunter Brothers released their song "Hard Dirt", which Hunter Hayes helped write and produce. He also co-wrote and produced their 2021 song "Been a Minute".

In October 2021, Hunter released the album Wild Blue Complete, which was an extended version of Wild Blue (Part I).

In April 2023, Hunter Hayes released his album Red Sky. His latest album, Space Tapes, was released in 2024.

Hunter Hayes: Albums and Tours

Studio Albums

• Through My Eyes (2000)
• Make a Wish (2001)
• Holidays with Hunter (2003)
• Honoring Our French Heritage (2006)
• Songs About Nothing (2008)
• Hunter Hayes (2011)
• Storyline (2014)
• The 21 Project (2015)
• Wild Blue (2019)
• Red Sky (2023)
• Space Tapes (2024)

Concert Tours

Hunter Hayes has been on many tours, both as the main performer and as a supporting act for other artists.

Headlining Tours

• Most Wanted Tour (2011)
• Let's Be Crazy Tour, with Ashley Monroe (2013)
• We're Not Invisible Tour, with Danielle Bradbery and Dan + Shay (2014)
• 24 Hour Road Race to End Child Hunger (2014)
• Tattoo (Your Name) Tour, with Dan + Shay and The Railers (2014)
• Let's Be Crazy / Crazier UK Tour (2015)
• 21 Tour, with Ryan Lafferty and Kelsea Ballerini (2015)
• Closer to You Tour, with Levi Hummon and Tegan Marie (2019)
• Red Sky Tour (2023)
• Flying Solo Tour (2023)
• Flying Solo Tour: Season 2 (2024)

Supporting Tours

• Speak Now World Tour – Taylor Swift (2011)
• Blown Away Tour – Carrie Underwood (2012)
• Wheels Up Tour – Lady Antebellum (2015)
• C2C: Country to Country – Reba McEntire (2017), Lady Antebellum (2019)

Hunter Hayes: TV and Movie Appearances

Hunter Hayes has also appeared in movies and TV shows.

Hunter Hayes: Awards and Nominations

Hunter Hayes has won many awards and been nominated for others throughout his career.

Academy of Country Music Awards

The Academy of Country Music Awards celebrate achievements in country music.

American Country Awards

The American Country Awards are chosen by fans.

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards recognize outstanding achievements in the music industry.

Other Awards and Recognitions

See also

In Spanish: Hunter Hayes para niños